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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina senators have refused to go along with a proposal to raise state worker's health insurance premiums.

Republican state Sen. Greg Ryberg of Aiken said state workers should split the cost of higher premiums as the Senate debated a $5.8 billion general budget spending plan.

Ryberg said workers should have to pay $5 more monthly and argued taxpayers shouldn't pick up all the costs.

Ryberg said plenty of people are paying all of their insurance costs on their own. He said it was unfair to taxpayers to give state workers a break.

Republican state Sen. Thomas Alexander of Walhalla said employees already are facing a $6 increase in premiums. And senators note state workers haven't seen a general pay increase in four years.

Ryberg's proposal failed by a 24-16 vote.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)